Girl's Night Out

It's almost October and I never posted about the fun little birthday party a few of my gal-pals had for me at Anna Shea's Chocolates and Lounge earlier this month. We had dinner together first and then went to Anna Shea's for dessert and it was just heavenly!

We had the difficult task of choosing 4 of their decadent cupcakes, which we cut into fourths so we could have a taste of each of them.

There was a bridal shower going on in one part of the lounge and a little girl's party going on in another. You can reserve the lounge for whatever type of party you want.

And as if the dinner and the cupcakes weren't enough to eat, we decided to order 3 of Anna Shea's to-die-for Frozen Hot Chocolates . . .

and one Hot Chocolate loaded with whipped cream - YUM!

Thanks girls for a night full of birthday fun!

Easter Favors

Here's my easy-peasy Easter favors for this year. Everything was bought at Hobby Lobby....with the exception of the little chick and "Happy Spring" ribbon, which I got at Michael's.

You will find all the supplies in the Easter decor aisle. If it's not there in your store, then look in the cake and candy making aisle. The chocolate egss were made using an egg shapped candy mold and dark chocolate candy melts. I did make some of mine with a peanut butter filling - totally not necessary, unless you love peanut butter cups like I do. (And if you do, they have a peanut butter cup shaped mold as well!) Melt the chocolate in the microwave, pour it into the molds and refrigerate just until set and ta-da. . .chocolate candy eggs! You could put Mr. Easter Bunny right out of business it's so easy! After they are cooled, wrap each egg in a candy foil, place in a paper candy paper and set three eggs into a 1/4 lb candy box filled with Easter Grass.
Cut a scalloped oval out of pretty paper and attach to the top of the box. Tie with Easter ribbon and add a cute little Easter chick on top and you are ready to fill up those Easter baskets!

Here is my Week 11 addition to my 52Q tag journal ~ What are you grateful for right now? I tried out Tim Holtz's Distress Crackle Paint in Tattered Rose for the base color. I don't usually have very goof luck with crackle paints, but this one-step, one-coat type worked very well.

Yesterday's winter wonderland is slowly disappearing. Even though I am completely ready for Spring-like weather to arrive, I must admit our picture postcard scene was beautiful. Even our kitty Midnight, who is definitely NOT an outdoor cat, couldn't resist venturing outside to check out the snow.

Huge Hugs!

You guys are awesome! What a wonderful response you had to my Joli Paquet kits that went on sale yesterday. I was truly blown away - thank you all SO very much! There still are a few kits left, so if you didn't get one yesterday, you still can nab one today right here.

And today is MY turn to post on the Joli Paquet blog. I am sharing a delicious recipe for truffles and a cute little way to package them for the holidays. I made these same truffles for our daughter's wedding last Saturday (wow~she's been a Mrs. for one whole week already!) and next week I'll share with you how I decorated the same favor boxes for the wedding guests.
I'm going to spend the weekend trying to weed thru my studio. . .yet, again! It's in dire need of another clean & purge session as I can barely see any of the floor at all! That's what happens when you are so busy creating (aka making a mess) you have no time to clean up before a houseful of people show up on your doorstep. I need to start doing Peter Walsh's Trash Bag Tango pronto!

Chocolate Withdrawal

I don't know about all of you, but I am just starting to come down from my Valentine's Day sugar high. We seem to have more chocolate in this house than any family should be allowed to have. I swear I can feel my face starting to break out just from writing about it. It is awfully yummy, so I'll just have to eat it fast to make it all disappear!

Mr. Postman has been good to me again. Personally I think he's just after my chocolates. He's been bringing me lots of Valentines as well as the little pretty pictured above from Karla's Cottage. It's a beautiful handmade folder filled with lovely wallpapers which will turn into something wonderful once I dream it up in my head. Karla said that it wasn't selling in her shop, (can you imagine that?) so I just couldn't let it stay there and think it wasn't loved. I love just opening it up to look and touch the beautiful papers. I got another delivery yesterday of even MORE wallpaper from the lovely and talented Miss Holly Doodle. I am so anxious to start working with all of this fun stuff!

I was at Michael's today and found this cute little metal wall pocket in their new spring decor section. There are some pretty nice things in that aisle and I may need to go back and take a second look VERY soon.